Hughes excited by Soll bid

Soll is one of the less exposed runners in Saturday's Coral Welsh National having had just five races under Rules in his life.

Now with Jo Hughes in Lambourn, he was fancied for the four-miler at Cheltenham last March when with Willie Mullins.

He ran a satisfactory race in the Hennessy to finish eighth but Hughes is confident he will strip fitter at the weekend.

"Everything has been fine with him since Newbury, he came out of the Hennessy well. He's had a good preparation and we are just hoping and praying that it's on," said Hughes.

"It's all systems go for this weekend and it's very exciting.

"He wasn't 100% for the Hennessy. I didn't bring him in early enough, but I've been able to get a lot more work into him for this.

"I think Derrick (Mossop, owner) moved him to me from Willie Mullins because he thought he'd be better off in a smaller yard where he could be a bigger star. Mr Mullins has a lot of very similar horses.

"I only have about six jumpers, there aren't many dual-purpose yards these days. Having won a Group race on the Flat last season (with Caledonia Lady), it would be great to win a major handicap over jumps.